Vientiane (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Lao counterpart SaysomphonePhomvihane have attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Laos-Vietnamfriendship park in Vientiane, as part of his official visit to the neighbouringcountry.

The May 15 eventtook place on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the bilateraldiplomatic ties (September 5, 1962) and 45 years of the signing of the Laos -Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).

The VietnameseMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Office of the Lao People’sRevolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee are the main investors of theproject.

The park is locatedat Dong Mak Khai which is planned to be turned into a large urban centre ofVientiane capital city.

It is a symbol ofthe special solidarity and close-knit ties between Vietnamese and Lao Parties,States and peoples, said Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung at the ceremony.

Once operational,the park will serve as an education venue, helping young generations of Vietnamand Laos as well as international friends understand more about the good, purerelationship, he said, noting that the project also demonstrates viewpoints andguidelines of the two Parties and States on maintaining, consolidating andenhancing the special relationship now and in the future.

During his stay inLaos, Hue visited former Party General Secretary and State President BounnhangVorachith on May 16.

The NA Chairmanconveyed regards and best wishes from Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong andPresident Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the Lao former leader.

Hue briefed BounnhangVorachith on activities within his visit, including his talks with Chairman ofthe Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane during which the two sidesreached consensus on orientations and measures to deepen the great friendship,special solidarity and comprehensive relations in a substantive and effectivemanner.

The top legislatorsare scheduled to co-chair a workshop where the two sides will exchange experiences on mechanisms and policies on post-pandemic economic recovery, Hue said.

Bounnhang Vorachith,for his part, described Hue’s visit as a milestone for the two Parties andStates in the context of the 60th anniversary of the bilateraldiplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Laos - Vietnam Treaty ofAmity and Cooperation.

This is also thefirst official visit to Laos by a Vietnamese senior leader in the two countries’Friendship Year 2022, he noted, adding that it demonstrates the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of attaching importance to the relationship.

Bounnhang Vorachith suggested that apart from the thriving politicalties, the two sides should promote their economic and social cooperation,saying economic collaboration plays an important role given adverse impacts ofthe COVID-19 pandemic on the two countries.

Inthis regard, Hue said Vietnamese and Lao Parties and States are resolved tocreate breakthroughs in the economic, trade and investment ties, making them onpar with the political relations.

TheVietnamese legislature and its agencies are working hard to promote the links,he told the Lao former leader./.